Pedometer Challenge: Ready, Set, Walk!

Pedometer Challenge: Ready, Set, Walk!

As Olympic athletes go for the gold in Sochi, area residents are competing against each other to see who can get in the most steps.

Starting this week, ThedaCare and ThedaCare Orthopedic Care is launching its pedometer challenge for members of the media and business organizations. ThedaCare gave participants –we have 42! – a pedometer to track their steps for seven days and a packet for training and tips. Each week between now and April 20, participants will send me their total number of steps, with the goal of 10,000 each day, or an increase in their totals. Medical experts suggest adults get at least 10,000 steps daily as a way to improve their overall health.

This is the second year ThedaCare has offered the challenge. A similar one was held last year right after New Year’s and the response was awesome! This year, participants were asked to pick a challenge partner – either a co-worker, spouse or family member – to see who could get the most steps. I hope there is a lot of good natured fun and also that it encourages everyone to live a healthier lifestyle by getting more exercise. There are some new participants, including eight staff members from the Waushara Argus newspaper, and some returning participants, such as WFRV’s Chelly Boutott, who asked her two sisters to participate in the challenge, too.

In the coming weeks, I plan to share some of the fun stories and competitions as everyone gets moving!